Indian Festivals Date and Calender

When is Swami Vivekananda Birthday – Well the Date for Swami Vivekanand Birthday is 12th January.

Swami Vivekananda’s birthday or Swami Vivekananda Jayanti(স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ) occurs on the Paush Krishna Saptami, which happens to be the 7th day after the full moon day that comes in the month of Paush based on Hindu calendar. The date naturally varies on a yearly basis. He was born on12th January, 1863.

Who was Swami Vivekananda (स्वामी विवेकानन्द)
Vivekananda encouraged people to search for knowledge. He was a great spiritual leader. He could feel for the masses, their poverty-ridden plight and suffering. He was a protector of Hinduism. He promoted lofty ideals of Sanathana Dharma. He stood for Indian Cultural values at a time when the youth was more inclined towards western culture. He guided the youth with regard to national principles. He was progressive in his religious and social views.

One of the lofty principle he taught was “Jiva is Shiva”, which implies that every individual is divinity itself. He believed that religion should be based on personal experiences rather than on pure faith. He was the disciple of Ramakrishna and also the founder of Ramakrishna Mission. He played an important role in introducing Yoga and Vedanta to the West.

He died of cancer on July 4th,1902.

Legend of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekanand’s mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, who was pious had a dream in which Lord Shiva, coming out of his meditation, informed her that he would be born as her son. She had prayed very devotedly to Vireshwar Shiva belonging to Varanasi that she would like to have a son.

Celebration of Swami Vivekananda Birthday
Swami Vivekanand Jayanti is celebrated as National Youth day. Cultural programs, competitions, rangoli competition and group discussions, sports activities, recitation, speeches etc. are held on this day. The best way of celebrating his birthday is by reiterating what he stood for and believing in his ideals. Several programs are organized in India as well as abroad. Healthy discussions are held so that a topic is debated well and then the group members come to a particular conclusion. Exhibitions of Swami Viveknanda’s ideas and philosophy are held at various places all over the country as well as the world.

Special hymns and devotional songs are sung at various programs and views are expressed about his philosophy. At various centers of Ramakrishna Mission and Math, magalarti, homa(fire-ritual), special worship, Yogasana presentation, devotional songs etc are organized.

Swami Vivekanand was indeed a great philosopher and represented what India culture stood for. He protected Hinduism from the onslaught of alien cultures and encouraged youth towards nationalism.